What and how to cover the inside of the barrel so that it does not rust?

A barrel made of metal is a standard attribute of many summer cottages. Usually, an iron barrel for water is not only used for irrigation, but also used as a container for a shower, as well as simply for storing and settling liquid.

But over time, such containers begin to rust and leak. Let's try to figure out what needs to be done in order to get rid of and remove rust as much as possible, as well as what can be processed and how to protect such a container. And, of course, we will describe the features of the processing process.

If metal barrels are used to store water in the country, then over time, rust begins to appear in them, which turns the water brown and makes it unsuitable for any use at all. Let's try to figure out what needs to be done to clean and wash a container of this type from such an oxide.

To do this, we need to have at hand the most common scraper, which we often use when washing dishes. And with its help, we begin to clean the inner walls of the metal container from rust. Its rubbing is done with water, as if, in fact, by means of rinsing.

After that, the barrel should be washed very well and simply allowed to dry, after which it will be ready for the application of protective substances. If you have any grinding tool at hand, then it will be easiest to use it.

But not only should the barrel be cleaned of rust, it should somehow be protected from future occurrences. This can be done by covering the inside with various protective compounds. There are quite a few of them, so we will list the most popular and profitable ones.

The first option is metal enamel. Such a substance should be applied only to a high-quality cleaned surface so that the enamel reliably adheres to it and, upon contact with water, simply does not peel off. Coating with metal enamel is carried out in 3 stages, and after each, the container should be well dried. This will make it possible to prevent water from entering the porous surface of the coating.

Sometimes the inside of the barrels is covered, oddly enough, with cement. This method is quite time consuming in terms of implementation, but it is environmentally friendly and affordable. First, you will need to prepare the surface of the barrel using sandpaper or a roughing brush. Then you will need to wash off the sanding dust with water and dry the container. The cement should be diluted to the consistency of sour cream so that it is convenient to apply it with a brush. The barrel should be well coated on the inside, carefully passing over ridges, indentations and irregularities. The container must now be dried again. To do this, turn it over and put it on a container with water. This solution will allow the cement to harden in a humid environment and not crack. After that, the procedure should be repeated a couple of times. When everything is completely dry, the container can be filled with water.

Another interesting option is the use of bituminous varnish. Its components are bitumen and natural resins. Such a solution, which is distinguished by its viscosity, forms a thin film on the metal, which prevents the interaction of moisture and oxygen with the surface, thereby protecting it from oxidation and corrosion. Due to its good adhesion characteristics, varnish is used as an adhesive and sealant.

This composition is applied only to a well-cleaned surface from dust and dirt. Traces of rust and old paint should be removed using a drill with a nozzle or a grinder. The varnish must be applied with a roller or brush. Stir the varnish well before work. If it had time to thicken, then you can add a little solvent or turpentine to it. It is better to apply such a composition in several layers about once every 7-8 hours, so that the previous layer has time to dry out. The only drawback of this method is that the bitumen varnish coating is very thin, which is why it will be better to renew it annually.

The next good way is metal primer. Differs in high reliability and simplicity. Before applying such a substance, the surface should be well cleaned, and then degreased in several stages. If you do not pay enough attention to the latter, then the coating will begin to become covered with bubbles and simply peel off. Grease is best removed with a dishwashing detergent. After that, the surface should be well washed and treated with acetone. Then the container from under the oil is dried, after which the primer should be applied with a brush or sprayed in 2-3 layers.

Here it should be said that first a primer is applied, which promotes the transformation of corrosion. It's just that its components begin to interact with oxidized iron, after which strong compounds are formed. But given that the ability to penetrate into the loose damaged structure of iron is small, the composition must be applied only to the cleaned surface. The resulting rough layer should be coated with an insulating type of primer.

If a metal barrel has undergone destruction due to the fact that it has been severely affected by corrosion, then it will not be possible to completely restore the structure. Therefore, its protection with insulating substances must be done in a timely manner. Constant and careful processing can protect the container from destruction and extend its operation time.

And the easiest way to protect such a container is to use a large plastic bag, which can be purchased at the store. It is enough just to shake such a bag well, and then place it inside the barrel. Its use gives several positive properties at once:

• durable polyethylene makes it possible to close all holes, if they are present at all in such a container;
• the barrel does not need to be cleaned from plaque, corrosion, algae and the like;
• rust simply will not form, because water does not directly contact the metal.

In conclusion, it will not be superfluous to say about some of the features of the processing process from the inside of a metal container.

• The barrel must be thoroughly cleaned of rust beforehand. It does not need to be wiped down to holes, but it must be cleaned as efficiently as possible, so that the material applied later will provide the surface with reliable protection.
• Protective materials should not be neglected, which can extend the life of such a container.
• In some cases, protective materials are applied in layers, each of which must be given time to dry properly.
• After washing, the container must be dried so that the subsequently applied protective agent seizes as much as possible with the metal surface of such a container.

For information on how to paint an iron barrel for water from the inside, see the next video.